TOLEDO OHIO. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
More than 40 of the fast-casual pizzeria’s 100 franchised stores are run by company executives, who operate anywhere from a single unit up to 27 locations, as is the case with Marco’s president and chief executive Jack Butorac. In fact, of the top nine executives in the Marco’s system, seven of them run their own stores. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“The only reason that all of [the top executives] are not franchisees is because two started in the last six to eight months and have not had time yet,” said Cameron Cummins, vice president of franchise marketing and recruiting. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
There are several advantages for executives to take on the task of running their own units, Cummins said, such as generating additional income. But, he added, the primary drive seems to be faith in the product. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“We have a great product and an operations discipline to make the product consistently day to day,” Cummins said. “There is always room for a company that makes a quality product and can differentiate itself from the national competition.” —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
Another benefit is that while most company managers are accustomed to the boardroom and corner office, Marco’s executives also experience the reality of running a location. Viewing the store from ground level forces these franchisees to make decisions that directly affect their stores. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“Executives who own stores are not capable of making decisions that are made in a vacuum or from the proverbial ivory tower,” said Dave Black, executive vice president of Marco’s. “We have to live with those decisions.” —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
In addition to operating their own stores, Marco’s executives have found that running those units has provided them with a powerful recruitment tool when speaking to potential franchisees. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“It is the great equalizer when you are talking to potential franchisees,” Cummins said. “They know you did what they are about to do.” —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
While viewed as a success, the company’s decision to have executives operate their own stores is not exclusive to Marco’s. For example, Kelly Creighton, president of Golden Franchising Corp., took control of his own Golden Chick restaurant in Longview, Texas, two years ago. In addition to implementing new standards to his store, he also noted the positive reaction of other franchisees. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“They have been real positive,” he said. “I’ve got a little more credibility. I’m behind the counter just like they are. We can share ideas about how to improve sales.” —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
But will the trend become an industry standard? —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
“I think that other companies should look at this as a perk and as a long-term tenure-building program,” Black said. —The old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” has new meaning for Marco’s Pizza, a 155-unit chain based here.
